Inside University of Houston’s RAD Building Project: Plumbing Construction Highlights

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Home » Inside University of Houston’s RAD Building Project: Plumbing Construction Highlights
The Rad Center, formerly named the HUB, is a 41,000-square-foot new building located on the University of Houston Campus. The $40 million development project is situated on the former site of the old Satellite building, an aging facility that was demolished to make room for the new modern structure.
The RAD Center will offer students expansive indoor dining areas, large community tables, and outdoor patio seating. The first-floor features four diverse food services and a coffee bar, while the second floor provides additional dining space and a small conference room. The building also employs a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen with walk-in freezers, ovens, washing, and frying stations in the rear section with versatile office spaces.
The Kilgore Plumbing division began the project by disconnecting the original building from the utilities, enabling the demolition of the existing structure. Due to the specific construction requirements, the team installed the grease trap first, utilizing an existing utility bunker that had remained from the previous facility. After the existing structure was removed and the site was backfilled with new material, the crew meticulously laid out the piping systems.
Bunker Grease Trap Construction
Once the excavation was finalized, the under-slab installations commenced. The team installed an extensive network of pipes, including 2,000 feet of 6-to-2-inch cast iron grease waste piping, 600 feet of 16-to-6-inch stormwater piping, 3,600 feet of 8-to-2-inch sanitary piping, and 6,000 feet of copper domestic water piping.
All underground sanitary systems were designed to terminate at the existing bunker. The crew then performed hydrostatic testing on the piping system before proceeding with the backfill, ensuring everything was properly sealed and secured. After the inner shell of the building was completed, storm lines were installed to ensure adequate roof drainage, helping to keep the building dry during the construction process. The crew then proceeded with indoor plumbing installations, systematically working from the back of the building to the front.

The back section of the building houses multiple offices, an industrial kitchen, walk-in freezers, and washing stations. Kilgore began the installation of 800 feet of kitchen-grade natural gas lines, ranging from 0.5-to-2 inches in diameter. The gas lines were connected to industrial stoves, fryers, and ovens. Potable water lines were connected to the washing stations, while the outflow was directed to a 1,500-gallon grease trap including a sample well.

Industrial Kitchen
Industrial Kitchen Washer

Additionally, the existing sewer ejector pumps, previously used by the satellite building, were upgraded to more efficient models, significantly enhancing the system’s overall performance. Re-vents and pipe outs were also installed, allowing the piping system to vent air and fumes, which improves the overall flow and drainage efficiency.

The crew advanced with the installation and suspension of additional piping systems, utilizing ceiling-mounted racks for secure placement. They also anchored natural gas lines that extended from the exterior into the building’s ceiling using these mounted racks. At the same time, the team concentrated on installing restroom batteries. The process involved setting cast iron fixture carriers bolted to the floor and connecting the batteries to ensure a secure installation. 

Kilgore fabricated five battery units off-site, which were then seamlessly integrated into the building’s infrastructure. These batteries allow for a plug-and-play installation of toilets, urinals, and lavatories. This approach expedited the installation process and minimized disruptions on-site, ensuring smoother coordination with other trades and crews. Before proceeding to the second floor, the plumbing systems underwent hydrostatic testing, while the gas lines were pressurized and tested with air to ensure safety and functionality.

Bathroom construction for building
The crew began constructing three restrooms and a mother’s room, following a similar installation process as on the first floor. Additionally, they performed piping installations in a mechanical room located on the second floor. Floor drains were installed to collect condensate from the air handling systems for cleaning and spill management, followed by the installation of fixtures and trim to complete the second floor.
As this modern project nears completion, Phase II, encompassing the first floor and portions of the second floor, is now operational. The third and final phase of the RAD Center is scheduled to break ground in Summer 2025. This phase will introduce administrative offices, a versatile 60-person multi-purpose room, a reflection room, and a satellite delivery services office, all located on the second floor. Once complete, the University of Houston’s RAD Center will serve as a central hub for student engagement and essential campus services

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“Regulated by the Texas Dept. of Licensing and Registration, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711, 1800-803-9202” TACLA017666C/TECL26749
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, P.O Box 4200, Austin, Texas 78765, 1800-845-6584, M-37953

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay up to date with our latest news, announcements and industry related information.

“Regulated by the Texas Dept. of Licensing and Registration, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711, 1800-803-9202” TACLA017666C/TECL26749
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, P.O Box 4200, Austin, Texas 78765, 1800-845-6584, M-37953

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